Nicholas Breakspear
Born in Watford, HertfordshireBorn in 1100
Died on 1st of September 1159
Breakspear was the only Englishman every to be chosen as Pope, though sadly his papacy didn’t win much credit for the nation, and his Bull giving Ireland to Henry II was one of the causes of centuries-long troubles there. He trained at Merton Abbey and Avignon, where he served as a monk then abbot (gaining a reputation for over-strictness). A mission as papal legate to Scandinavia made his name, and in 1154 he was elected Pope, in his brief period in office falling out with Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I, and even excommunicating the entire city of Rome during one disagreement.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Adrian_IV Wikipedia Page
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